Before travelling
I usually have to prepare a lot before
travelling. First, I check if my formal documents are
valid. I usually look for nice accommodation
facilities in the country where I would like to travel. I
book a double room on the Internet. I also check the
weather forecast. Then I borrow a guidebook from
the library to see what tourist attractions there are
in the place where I want to go.
A few days before travelling, I go shopping
and buy the necessary products. I exchange some
money too. Then I pack my summer clothes (e.g. T-
shirts, skirts, shorts, bikinis, a tracksuit, slippers,
etc.), some suntan lotion, toiletries and a camera with me. I also take some medicine in the
suitcase. In my handbag, I put all the necessary documents (e.g. a driving licence, a passport,
an identity card, local currency, travel insurances, traveller’s cheques and a credit card,
etc.), of course.
At the airport
There are many people at the airport. They want
to go somewhere by airplane. After buying tickets, they
check in and wait for the departure of the plane in the
departure lounge. The announcer nicely informs
important news that all people must know.
My husband and I are going to Corfu to have a
great holiday this summer. When we travel, we usually
take the car to the airport. My husband parks the car in
the car park. Then we go to the check-in desk. At the
check-in desk, the woman looks at our passports and air
tickets, takes our luggage and gives us our boarding
cards. We and our baggage go through a security gate. We look at our boarding cards to see
our seat numbers on the plane. On the plane, we look for our seats. Of course, we also listen
to the stewardess’s instructions.
At the hotel
On the arrival day, we check in at the
reception desk. We fill in a form and give all our
personal data. The receptionist tells us our
room number and gives us our key. We pay for
the room in advance by credit card. In the
morning, we have breakfast in a separate room of
the hotel. There is usually a big buffet table. So
we can taste a lot of food. On the departure day,
we check out the hotel and go to the airport by
taxi.
At the hotel, there is free wi-fi
connection, a sauna, a Jacuzzi, a bar and a restaurant too. If I want, I can also ask for a room
service. In the morning, the cleaning lady comes and cleans our room.
Discussion questions
How does she prepare for a journey?
How can people check-in at the airport?
How do the wife and the husband check-in at the hotel?
What services can a hotel provide?
What is your favourite country and why?
How do you like to travel?
Match the definitions with the bolded words from the text.
1. The opposite of check in...
2. The synonym of baggage...
3. To reserve a hotel room...
4. Perfume, a toothbrush, shower-gel, a tube of toothpaste...
5. The person who works for a hotel...
6. To complete a table with your personal data...
7. Personal particulars...
8. A person who visits sights...
9. If you have an accident abroad, this document will help you to have medical care...
10. The place where you need to check in...
11. Waiting-room at the airport...
12. Loudspeaker...
13. Sights...
14. Officially acceptable...
15. Money...
Useful phrases for tourists
Can you help me?
Here is my boarding pass.
I think I am lost. Where is the..?
I would like to...
Where can I find the nearest...?
Where is the baggage reclaim?
How much is a double room/a single room?
Is breakfast included in the price?
When does the breakfast start?
I need special diet as I am allergic to...
Can I have a...?
I have a problem.
Is there a free wi-fi connection at your hotel?
What is the wi-fi password?
Can I have an extra towel?
When do we need to check out?
Can I pay by credit card or only in cash?
Role-play
You would like to check in a hotel. Tell the receptionist your personal data. You are
lactose-intolerant so ask for a special diet. Ask about the time of the breakfast, the services
of the hotel and the check-out time.
Use the pictures and try to speak about the process of going on holiday.
